Aerial-vehicle stabilizer.



aba

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

L. O. SCHOPP.

AERIAL VEHICLE STABILIZER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5, 1912.

1,040,484.. Patented 001;.8,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

LAURENCE 0. SGHOPI, OF

scHoPr, or s'r.

AS'I. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR`0F ONE-HALF T0-CONRAD L.

LOUIS, MISSOURI.

AERIAL-VEHICLE STBILIZER.

Specication of Letters Ilatent.l

ratenteaoct. 8,1912.

Application led January 5, 1912. Serial No. 669,695.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAURENCE O. Sonore,

a citizen of the St. Louis, State of a certain new and useful Improvement 1n United States,

Missouri, have invented Aerial-Vehicle Stabilizers, of which the following is af'ull,

clear, and exact description,

such as will enable others skilled in the'art to which it appert-ains same, reference being had to the accompanyto make and use the ing drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a Fig. 4 is a rear an enlarged cross sectional view taken ap- 20 proximately on vertical section taken longithe center of an aerial of the frQnt elevational view. elevational view. Fig. 5 is the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig.

(i is an .enlarged detailed section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

AThis invention relates generally to iying machines and -more particularly to means for producing maintaining equilibrium stability and automatically .of the machine during flight and particularly whilethe machine is turning laterally in either direction.

he principal object construct a flying machine having an elongated cylindrical body the motor and operating mechanism which body is upon longitudi of my invention is to adapted to contain the greaterportion of the suspended pendulum like nally disposed' and transversely disposed axes from the planes and further to provide simple means for` tilting the planes both with respect to 4,0

chine to ascend longitudinally and laterally the 'axes of the body ofthe machine for the purpose of causing the maor descend during forward flight or to turn laterally in either direction. When it is desired to turn laterally in either direction my imp longitudinally planes on one s1 downward and during flight, the planes of roved machine can be tilted upon disposed axes so that the de of the machine are moved the planes on the opposite side are correspondingly moved upward and when so positioned, the planes impinge on the air in such a manner as to overcome the equilibrium` entire machine to lose its occupy inclined positions the body of the machine suspen ded below said planes autoresiding at of the machine and I. niatically lswings to a centralposition, thereby shifting the center of gravity so as to oppose the forces tending to destroy stability and equilibrium.

'With the above purposes my invention consists in certain novel features of construction vand arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, "l indicates the body of my improved machine which is constructed of suitable light weight, strong material `of `elongated cylindrical form with its ends round or pointed as desired. An opening 2 is formed 1n the top lof the body 1 preferably at a central point and positioned within the bodyA immediatel' below this opening is a seat 3 for the-operatori4 The body is preferably equipped on the under side of its ends 4withsmall traction wheels 4 which support the machine while onv the ground.

Located at any convenient point within the body of the machine, preferably in the forward port-ion thereof, is' a motor 5 and adapted to be driven thereby fs a propeller 6 which is mounted on a shaft at the forward end of the body.

Positioned on top of trally arranged thereon arev bearings 7 and y7a arranged in pairs and journaled in these 'bearings are 4short longitudinally disposed shafts 8 and 8a. l Extending upwardly from the shaft 8 on the forward portion of the machine is a pair of arms 9 and rigidly fixed to the upper ends of these arms in a plane substantially above the plane occupied by the shaft 8 is a transversely disposed shaft or rod 10. Carried by the outer ends of this shaftl() and arranged to rock'thereon is a pair of forward suitable light weight strong material preferably rectangular 1n form.'

Connected to the rear shaft 8a is a transversely disposed shaft l()a and supported by the outer ends thereof is a rear pair of planes l1a which are in every .way similar to the planes 11, although this-rear'pair of planes may be somewhat shorter than said forward planes.

Fixed to the top the bearings 7 is a pair of 12 and arranged to lslide vertically these standards is a of the body l1 in faint of grooved standards between suitable bearings in block 13. Journaled in the upper., portion of 110 the body and cenplanes 11, the same being constructed of h from the upper of the shaft 24 d the rear pair cally through the this block is a short shaft 13El and fixed on` the rear end thereof is an armv 14. Projecting laterally from the end of said arm are tubular members 15 in which are loosely seated rods 16, the outer ,ends of which are provided'with bearings 1 6:L that are loosely mounted on the forward ends of the inner side rails of the planes 11.

Fixed on the forward end of the shaft 13a isa beveled pinion 17 and meshing therewith is a correspondingly beveled pinion 18 which latter is fixed on the upper'end of a shaft 19. This shaft is provided with a grooved collar 2O which is engaged by a yoke 21 projecting forwardly from the lower po'rtion of the block 13. The lower portion of the shaft -19 1s grooved vertically to receive a key or feather carried by a sleeve or collar 22 which latter is j ournaled for rotation in a suitable bearing formed in the top of the -body 1, and'formed on the lower end of this collar is a beveled pinion 23. By this construction theshaft 19 is free toslide verticollar 22 and when the plnion 23 is rotated, the motion is imparted to the shaft and the pinion 18 carried thereby.

24 designates a shaft which is journaled for rotation in suitable bearings depending portion of the body A1 in?` front of the opening 2 therein and fixed on the forward end of this shaft4 is a beveled` pinion 25 which meshes withthe pinion 23.

A hand wheel 26 is xed on the rear end immediately in front of the seat 3 and carried by the central portion of said shaft 2,4 are winding drums 27 and 28.

VA second mechanism identically like the mechanism just described is positioned immediately in front of the bearings 7'l1 and is connected to the forward inner corners of of planes 11a so that said rear pair of` planes canbe .operated in the same sponds to the shaft 24, but

posed yshaft `31 and arranged .upon said manner as the front lanes.

The 'shaft 24a withln the body of the machine below the rear pair of planes corresaid shaft 24 is not provided with a steeringfwheel and it carries but one `winding drum 27 a.

Projecting rearwardly from the body l is a pair of brackets'29 and journaled between the outer ends thereof is a 'vertically dis- 30. Projecting laterally from are horizontally disposed arms arms 1s a pair of lanes 32 which are adapted to perform t e function of rudders or steering planes for guiding the machine laterally during flight. y

33 designates a bracket projecting upwardly from the bottom` of the body 1 1n front of the seat 3 and fulcrumed on said bracket is a hand lever 34. Connectedto the this shaft 30 vertically disposed lower end of this hand lever below the ful- Crum as a wire'or cable and said exible noeoasa the top of the body l and is attached to the` lower end-of the block 13.

Connected t'o the lever 34 above the ful-l crum point thereof'is one end of a flexible member 37 which extends forwardly `around the pulley 38 and from thence pul- A upwardly over a'pulley 39 at the top ofthe grooved standards 12 and from thence said member extends downwardly and its end is connect ed to the top of the block 13.

One end of a flexible member 40 is connected to the lower end of the lever 34 .and extends rearwardly thence upwardly and around suitably arranged grooved pulleys and the end of this flexible member is connected to the top of the vertically moving block forming `a part of the operating mechanism for the rear pair of planes 11a. @ne end of a flexible member 41 is connected to the lower end of this vertically moving block and the opposite end of said member 41 is connected to the lever 34 above the fulcrum lpoint thereof.

. Journaled for rotation in 'suitable bearings within the body 1 and upon the bottom thereof is a longitudinally disposed shaft 42 A and fixed thereon immediately below the drum 27 is a drum 43. Asecond d rum 44 is 'fixed on the shaft 42 directly below the drum 27a. Connecting the drums 27 and 43 is a cable 45 and connecting the drums 27a'and 44 is acable 46.

The central portion of a cable 47 is wound upon the drum 28 and the end `p0rtions of. said cable extend rearwardly through the body 1 around suitable pulleys and the ends of said cable are connected to the outer portions of the lower one of the transverse arms 31. v

' During flight the machine is drawn for- Lwardly through the air under the infiuence of the propeller 6 and to tilt the planes or to move the saine, upon their transverse axes so as to cause the machine to ascend or descend during flight; the operator manipulates the handle.34. To bring about an ascending movement, the upper end of the lever is drawn rearwardly thereby drawing the main body portionof the cable-37 rearwardly'7 consequently pulling the block 13 upwardly between the grooved guides 12 and, as a result, the forward ends of the planes 11 are elevated and the rear ends are correspondingly moved downward. -As the block '13 is moved upwardly the arm 14 and arms 15 are likewise moved and the rods 16 forming a. connection between the arms 15 and the planes 11 correspondingly move said planes. During this movement the cable 35 connected to the lower end of the block 13 moves downwardly and rearwardly for the reason that its rear end is connected to the lower end of the lever 34. Simultanelio ous and corresponding tilting movement of. the rear 'planes lliL is effected through the me; dium of the cables 40 and 41 which are coni nected to `the-le'ver'34 and extend therefrom rearwardly and upwardly` to the vertically moving block between the rear pair of planes 11a. As all of said planes are tilted upon: their transverse axes and their forward ends areelevated, said planes will impinge uponf the air during the forward movement of the entire machine thereby exerting lifting pressure and as a result the machine gradu- 1 chine toward the left hand 'during which time the body l-of the machine occupies its ally ascends as it moves forward.

To bring about-:a descending movenien of the machine, theupper end ofthe lever 34 is moved forward and by reason of the various connections betweens aidf lever and the forward ends of the planes, said planes are shifted upon their transverse axes so as 'to occupy inclined positionswith their forward ends depressed and their rear ends elevated thereby causing the upper surfaces of the planes to impinge against thea-ir and which action causes the machine to descend gra-dually during its continued ,forward movement. Vhen the block 13 is moved vertically, the pinions 17 and 18v and the shaft 19 moves vertically and during such movement the lower portions of said shaft' which is grooved operates through the collar 22 which latter is provided with an interior feat-lier or key which engages in the groove in the shaft.

When it is desired to cause the machine to move laterally during iight, the operator'` manually engages the hand wheel 26 and rotates the shaft 24 in the direction toward which it is desired to turn, that is, if it is desired toturn toward the right hand, the hand wheel is krotated toward the right, and, vice versa; Assuming that it is desired t turnV toward the left hand, the operator by -means of the hand wheel 26 rotates the shaft 24 toward the left and the pinion 2;- on the forward end of said shaft. meshes with the pinion 28, imparting rotary motion thereto and to the shaft 19 and the pinion 18 mounted thereon. This-rotary motion is imparted from the pinion 18 to the pinion 17,

thereby rotating the shaft 13a. toward the left hand and as a result the varm 14 carrying the laterally projecting arms 15 is actuated with the result that the left -hand one of the arms 15 is m'oveddownward and the and as a result the transverse rod .or sha-ft 10 is tilted to move into an inclined position as shown in Fig. 3A and during this movement the longitudinally disposed shaft 8 is rocked at its bearings. When the-forward pair of planes are tilted or moved into an inclined position,the rear pair of planes is simultaneously l the connections between the shaft 24 and the and correspondingly moved owing to.l

shaft 24a and which connections include/the the cable 45, and the drums 27al and 44 conthistilting action of the planes lland 11a, the vertically disposed steering planes or rudders 32 are swung toward the left hand the air will develop pressure to turn the nia-A normal positiion. v

By utilizing [the longitudinally disposed /rods or` shafts 8 and the transversely disposed rods or shafts 10 and suspending the body from the shafts 8 and Sa and ,mounting the planes to rock upon the transverse shafts the body at all times performs the function of apendulum and is suspended in a normal position beneath the planes which latter can be vindependently moved relative to the body so as to bring about a vertical or lateral `movement of the entire machine 4simulti neous with the forward movement thereof.4

cally to the means herein shown and described for bringing about a movement of the planes with respect to the body ofthe machine as said planes can be operated in various ways, but I desire to call special attention tothe construction utilizing horizontally disposed and transversely disposed shafts 8, 8", 10 and 10,whieh maybe termed primary and secondary shafts l or axles, which arrangement provides for the suspension of the body of the machine below the planes, thereby materially lowering the center of avity and permitting the body to adjust itself and-maintain its normal position regardless'of the .positions assumed by the lanes and which action may be likened to t'e action of la pendulum or plumb-bob. By my improved construction'and manner of uniting the Aplanes with `the body of the machine, a maximum degree of stability is obtained while the machine is in flight and particularly while ,the machine isv turning laterally in either direction, for when the planes are tilted laterally to effect a turn in either direction, the center of gravity of the machine is correspondingly shifted and the weight of the body is utilized so as to act against the forces tending to destroy or overcome equilibrium.

The action of tilting the shafts 10 and 10"i 'transversely to position the lanes .in inclined planes when the machine is turned laterally during flight may be .likened to the actionof a motor vehicle or other high banked or` inclined turns of a speed way and "in theory it is believedthat the nected by the cable 46. Simultaneous with '70 by means yof the cable 47 which operates on4 the drum 28 carried by the shaft 24. Thus the various planes are shifted into abnormal positions and said planes impmgmg against I do not desire to confine myself specifi-- shaft 42,the drums 27 and 43 connected by A speed machine taking the planes will tend to automatically move into inclined positions with respect to a vertical plane through thecenter of the body when the rudders 32 are swung in either direction and foi` this reason' the actuation of the mechanism for tilting the planes will require little effort on. the part of the operator as it is believed that it will only be necessary to shift the steering mechanism in'response ed on said body, a transversely dis osed' to the automatic tilting-movement of the planes. .A It will be readily understood that-minor changes in the size, form and' construction. of the 'various parts of my improved ma -chine 'can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without depart-- ing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is s et forth inthe appended claims.

I claim: l i 1. I n a machine of the class described, lthe combination with a body, of a pair of longitudinally disposed shaftsrot-atably mountshaft rigidly fixed to each longitudinally disposed shaft, a pair of planes-mounted on eachtransversely disposed shaft, a common means for simultaneously tilting the transverse shafts, and a common means for simul taneously tilting the pairs of planes upon .said transversely disposed shafts.

2. In amachine' ofthe class described, th'e combination with a body, of a pair of longitudinally disposed shafts rotatably mounted on. said body, a transversely dis osedA shaft rigidly xed to each longitudinally disposed shaft, a pair of planes mounted'on each transversely disposed shaft, a common means for simultaneously tilting the transverse shafts, a common means for simultaneously tilting the=pairs of planes upon said transversely disposed shafts, a propeller at .tably mounted on the forwardend of the body,- and a pair ofi vertically disposed-ruddersht the rear end of said body.

f 3.111 a-machine of the class described, the combination with a body, of a pairof longitudinally disposed shafts rotatably mount ed on 4said body, a transversely disposedshaft' rigidly fixed 'to each, longitudinally disposed shaft, "a pair of.' planes mounted. on each transversely disposed shaft, acom- 4. In a machine of the class described, an elongated, hollow, cylindrical .body'closed atboth ends and having an opening 1n its- 1 top near its center, a propeller on the forward end. of said body, a motor within the body for driving? theV propeller, steerin means at the rear end of the' body forjsteerving the machine laterallyjdurinflight, a

palr of longitudinall disposed s fts rota-- e body, transversely disippsed shaft rigidlyfixed to each longitu ally disposed shaft, a pair of'planes mounted on each transversely disposed shaft, a common means forv simultaneously tilting the transverse shafts, and a common means .for simultaneouslytilting the airs ofvplanes Y v upon the'transversely dispose shafts.'

In testimon whereof I hereunto ax my ,i

signature in t e presence of two witnesses, this 2nd day of January, 1912.

LAURENCE 0. sonori?.

Witnesses: M. P. SMITH Jnssm 

